SPORTS HEADLINES

A pair of turnovers and three missed field goals by the Northwest Texans left the door open for the Sherman Bearcats Thursday night.
With 13 seconds left, Devin Steptoe and the Northwest defense finally slammed the door shut. The senior defensive back picked off Sherman quarterback Blake Bentson inside the 15-yard line to secure the 14-7 Texans’ victory at Northwest ISD Stadium.

“We played man. I read the ball and attacked it,” Steptoe said.
“We were aggressive, not giving up any big plays and stood strong.”
Steptoe’s interception put an exclamation mark on a solid and at times dominating defensive effort by the Texans. Northwest limited Sherman to 215 yards and forced 10 punts.
The Texans allowed only 64 yards and two first downs in the first half.
Northwest hounded Bentson all night, tallying nine sacks. Dillon Sager recorded three sacks.
“I’m extremely proud of our defense. They were flying around to ball and not giving up any big plays,” said Northwest coach Bill Poe.
Sherman’s lone score came on a 45-yard run by Mike Brown late in the third quarter to pull the Bearcats within a score.
Less than a minute later after recovering a Northwest fumble and two personal fouls, the Bearcats took over at the Northwest 39 with a chance to pull even. Bentson couldn’t connect with open receivers on two occasions, including on fourth down to keep the Texans in front.
The Texans’ offense gave its defense a lead to protect on the opening possession, marching 69 yards in 10 plays. A 9-yard pass from Austin Ahmad to Quentin Lee capped the drive.
Ahmad finished 21-for-32 for 219 yards.
Northwest added to the lead with a brilliant catch and run by Zavion Taylor of an Ahmad pass. Taylor caught the ball in the right flat and then weaved his way across the field, covering 42 yards for the score to put Northwest up 14-0.
Northwest rolled up 398 yards, but could never add to its lead. The Texans fumbled twice inside the Sherman 40. Three times they marched inside the 20 and came away empty after missed field goals.
“Penalties really set us back. Also one of the turnovers set us back,” Poe said. “There was not really great execution at times. Thankfully the defense kept us in the game.
“A win is a win. I don’t care if it’s ugly. Hopefully this will help us start in the right direction heading into district.”
Northwest now heads into District 4-5A Division II play at 2-2.

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